For The Land Rover Defender's ability in the rough stuff is legendary, and the 2.4-litre diesel engine is doggedly strong
Against On-road, the Defender has vague handling and a bouncy ride. The driving position is cramped and the cabin is noisy.
What Car? says
Off-road, very little can touch it. On-road, there's very little to recommend it. Unless you spend a lot of time out in the wilds, any number of more-modern 4x4s make better buys
Reader review rating
4.62963
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There are 21 Land Rover Defender versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
There’s an almost bewildering choice of Defenders. Although there’s just the one engine (a 2.4-litre diesel which is far more powerful and refined than Land Rover engines of old), there are single-cab pick-ups, double-cab pick-ups with an extra row of seats, and hard tops.
Anyone looking for a family car is best off with the Station Wagon, with its extra windows and seats for up to seven. There’s also a choice of wheelbases (the length between the two axles). For ultimate ability off road, the 90 (for 90 inches) is the one to go for.
The 130 is less wieldy but more spacious, with the 110 striking a balance somewhere in the middle. We’d avoid base-spec models – there are more luxurious prison cells. The County has more kit and is easier to live with, although equipment levels are still less than generous. XS trim is much better, but comes with a very high price tag.
Reader test team says:
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 Td5 XS 3dr
I brought my Td5 in January 2011 purely for off…
2
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 Td5 Station Wagon 3dr
Here is a machine which gets you from A to B, in…
5
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 2.4D XS Station Wagon 3dr
My 1st new one was delivered in late Jan 08 but…
4
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 Tdi 110 5dr
I own a 110 TDI Hard top. It's broadly similar to…
5
out of 5 stars
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